There is something oddly juxtaposed about so many Americans cheerfully reaching out to a jolly, obese man in a red suit at this time of year. Good thing he isn't ill or disabled and in need of skilled nursing care.

Administrators have multiple departments to oversee, so it is important that they have a method to determine if their therapy department is running efficiently, meeting its goals and adding to the strategic success of the facility. There are several metrics and indicators of a successful therapy department.

A funny thing happened on the way to a semi-annual eye-rolling over a MedPAC report. It gave me reason to sit up with interest. Even more unlikely, it contained information that made some long-term care providers happy.

I recently participated in a roundtable discussion that addressed the field's challenges and opportunities. Several remedies for improving care and payments surfaced during the conversation. But one unique suggestion really stood out: Perhaps long-term care should become a public utility.

To say skilled nursing facilities have come a long way would be, well, surprisingly refreshing. Public opinion polls show there is still a wide-spread misunderstanding of what SNFs do, how they are paid for what they do, and why it is so important to preserve the setting.

Long-term care providers are offering lawmakers policy ideas aligned with the changing healthcare landscape in the United States, in an effort to control costs and improve quality while avoiding slashed reimbursements, according to Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association. The leader of the nation's largest long-term care provider organization spoke out this week for legislation based on $2 billion in savings through reduced hospital readmissions.

How can the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services correlate quality of care and reimbursement?
You always need to remember that Medicare is an insurance plan. As such, Medicare has rules, just like your insurance company. Two of those rules are that we must provide care according to an individualized care plan for each resident and that we provide appropriate discharge planning.

Democrats in the Senate could introduce a bill this week to replace the automatic spending cuts known as the sequester, which is scheduled to take effect March 1. Many long-term care stakeholders have opposed the 2% Medicare cuts that are part of the $85 billion sequestration package.

Tom Scully wondered privately before his keynote address at a seniors housing and care conference last week why he was being asked to speak. Afterwards, long-term care executives in the audience were probably wondering the same thing.

Next week it will be the Democrats' turn to offer their visions of the future for the Medicare and Medicaid programs, as well as other issues that would significantly affect long-term care operators. Expected at the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina is at least some degree of chest thumping over actions compelled by the Affordable Care Act, the reform law often referred to as "Obamacare." Republicans this week adopted a platform that would significantly alter the way Medicaid and Medicare funds would be distributed. The stakes could be huge for LTC operators: Together, the programs currently pay about 75% of U.S. long-term care costs.

Next week it will be the Democrats' turn to offer their visions of the future for the Medicare and Medicaid programs, as well as other issues that would significantly affect long-term care operators. Expected at the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina is at least some degree of chest thumping over actions compelled by the Affordable Care Act, the reform law often referred to as "Obamacare." Republicans this week adopted a platform that would significantly alter the way Medicaid and Medicare funds would be distributed. The stakes could be huge for LTC operators: Together, the programs currently pay about 75% of U.S. long-term care costs.

Long-term care providers should hone in on the changing needs of their market by embracing what customers want and will pay for, and by working to change the profession's image problem, LTC executives said Monday.